Two examples: The grand jury found that in Harrisburg, Pa., a priest sexually abused five sisters from one family. In the same archdiocese, a priest raped a 7-year-old while she was in the hospital for a tonsillectomy.

The report goes on to document similar crimes — some even more perverse — involving about 300 priests over the course of seven decades. The abuse was inflicted while church leaders looked the other way and in many cases helped cover up the crimes.

"Priests were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all," the grand jury concluded. "For decades. Monsignors, auxiliary bishops, bishops, archbishops, cardinals have mostly been protected; many, including some named in this report, have been promoted."

And although the magnitude of abuse documented in the report is staggering, it involves only six archdioceses in one state. In reality, it's a global epidemic. Even Pope Francis acknowledged in June that he was "a part of the problem" in the church's failure to properly investigate accusations of child sexual abuse in Chile.

Let's take time to think about three essential points. One, it's tempting to turn away from these types of stories because they bore into reservoirs of deep pain. I understand; I didn't want to write this column because of the anger the grand jury report provoked in me. But we have to face the ugliness of this reality because abusers depend on us to be distracted and because so many children and adults carry the wounds of sexual abuse. We must engage.

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Attorney General Josh Shapiro acknowledges survivors prior to outlining the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivor Sharon Tell, in red, sits and listens as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

A survivor of child sexual abuse by a priest cries as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors comfort each other while Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

James Faluszczuk, right, who was abused in the Erie diocese, cries as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

James Faluszczuk, right, who was abused in the Erie diocese, cries as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Judy Deaven, of Harrisburg, weeps as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Aug. 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and cover-up by more than 300 members of the clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors Shaun Dougherty, right, and Sharon Tell listen as Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

State representative Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) speaks to media about the findings of the grand jury's report means to him after the press conference, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

State representative Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) speaks to media about the findings of the grand jury's report means to him after the press conference, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivor James Faluszczuk, who was abused by a priest in the Erie diocese, center, speaks with media the press conference on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivor James Faluszczuk, who was abused by a priest in the Erie diocese, speaks with media the press conference on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivor James Faluszczuk, who was abused by a priest in the Erie diocese, speaks with media the press conference on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors of priest abuse Juliann Bortz, from left, Jim VanSickle and James Faluszczuk speak about their feeling of relief spawning from the press conference, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors of priest abuse in the Catholic Church Jim VanSickle, left, and James Faluszczuk speak to reporters after Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

'I have closure,' said Shaun Daugherty, a survivor of sexual abuse by a priest, speaks to media after Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

'I have closure,' said Shaun Daugherty, a survivor of sexual abuse by a priest, speaks to media after Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlined the findings of the grand jury investigation into six catholic diocese in Pennsylvania, Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The grand jury's report detailed child sexual abuse and coverup by more than 300 clergy. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors listen as Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks during a new conference on the release of a grand jury report detailing decades of sexual abuse of children in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Attorney General Josh Shapiro comforts Judy Deaven, whose son overdosed after becoming addicted to painkillers from a back injury sustained while being sexually abused by a priest. Shapiro was speaking during a news conference on the release of a grand jury report detailing decades of sexual abuse of children in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. She said when Shapiro reached out to her, she felt pure compassion. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro talks about a statewide grand jury report on Catholic clergy abuse in six dioceses on Tuesday, encompassing 301 accused priests and more than 1,000 victims. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors weep as Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks during a new conference on the release of a grand jury report detailing decades of sexual abuse of children in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Survivors weep while a video plays before a news conference with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in conjunction with the release of a grand jury report detailing sexual abuse of children from six Catholic dioceses. Ty Lohr, York Daily Record

Two, the sexual abuse epidemic is not contained to the Catholic Church. It was revealed this week that one of the most prominent, once respected evangelical churches in the world — Willow Creek in South Barrington, Ill. — paid more than $3 million to settle two lawsuits centered on allegations that a volunteer molested two developmentally disabled boys. Willow Creek already was reeling from a sexual harassment scandal involving the church's founder, Bill Hybels.

Clergy and lay leaders in every house of worship need to look honestly at the safeguards they have in place to protect against abuse, their procedures for reporting allegations, and whether there's a climate of accountability and transparency that includes every person in a position of authority.

Three, religious institutions aren't the only one that should draw lessons from the Pennsylvania grand jury's investigation. As we've seen recently at Michigan State University and before that at Penn State, abuse can happen anywhere. That's true of assault and other forms of sexual misconduct as well. No business, church, university — no place where one person holds power over another — is immune.

"There have been other reports about child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. But never on this scale," the Pennsylvania grand jurors wrote. "For many of us, those earlier stories happened someplace else, someplace away. Now we know the truth: it happened everywhere."

It does happen everywhere. And we all must face that reality.

Contact Swarens at tim.swarens@indystar.com; friend him on Facebook at Tim Swarens; follow him on Twitter @tswarens.